Malaysia: 1,359 health workers catch virus in 3rd wave

KUALA LUMPUR

A total of 1,359 health workers across Malaysia have contracted coronavirus since the third wave hit Malaysia in October, the Health Ministry said on Friday.

The nurses are the group facing the infection risk most, said the ministry, adding that "since October, 690 of those catching COVID-19 are nurses.”

It noted that 33.1% of health workers with COVID-19 contracted the virus from outside, 31.9% from colleagues, and 8.6% from COVID-19 patients, while 24.3% are yet to be determined.

A total of 1,697 health workers infected with coronavirus are currently in home isolation and the vast majority of health care staff having caught the virus was working in hospitals in the capital Kuala Lumpur and Selangor state.

So far, 90,816 people have been infected with the virus in Malaysia, while 432 people have died. Some 15,140 people are being treated.

The COVID-19 pandemic has claimed over 1.67 million lives in 191 countries and regions since it originated in China last December.

Some 75.67 million cases have been reported worldwide, with more than 42.66 million recoveries, according to figures compiled by the US' Johns Hopkins University.

While the US, India, and Brazil remain the worst-hit countries in terms of the number of cases, Europe is in the grip of a devastating second wave of infections.

*Writing by Merve Berker